Opinion: Flood of sexual harassment claims rocks the nation

The news each day reveals yet another exploding bomb of sexual harassment claims made against the most prominent figures in U.S. government, heads of giant media companies and popular television and movie personalities. In what seems to be an endless flood of accusations by women who claim they were harassed and accosted by some of the most recognized and successful figures on the American scene, the public is stunned as careers of the powerful suddenly end in disgrace and reputations of the most prominent public figures are shattered.

Women have long suffered in silence while supervisors, bosses and co-workers made lewd comments and sexual jokes, asked inappropriate questions about their personal lives and violated their dignity by unwanted physical contact — or even accosted them. It was just accepted as the norm in the work place. Women who wished to keep their jobs had to remain silent and tolerate the indignities and even physical assaults.

Everyone knows it’s wrong to sexually harass a co-worker or subordinate, but it’s been socially tolerated for too long. Few have been willing to step forward to confront the abuser or to complain to management. Most companies have policies against sexual harassment but they are rarely enforced, even in the largest corporations.

In the U.S., one in three women say they have been sexually harassed in the workplace. In agricultural occupations, 80 percent of female farm workers say they have been sexually harassed. Many are undocumented workers, and supervisors use that status to attempt to coerce them.

Employees in Florida are protected by both state and federal law that prohibit sexual harassment. The U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission defines workplace harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors or other physical harassment of a sexual nature.”

Harassment is illegal “when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile work environment” or when it results in the worker being fired or demoted or the victim quitting the job.

Women now feel empowered by the brave women who have come forward, unafraid and who speak in a loud, clear voice against their abusers. When Roy Moore from Alabama decided to run for the U.S. Senate, one or two women who were abused by him when they were very young spoke out, maybe believing that the public should know the lurid history of this man who wants to represent the people of Alabama in Washington. Then seven more women came forward accusing Moore of accosting them.

Women are no longer afraid to speak out for their right to live in a society and work in an environment free from abusers who have been unaccountable too long. The most powerful abusers have fallen through the courage of ordinary women. American men and women are now listening to them. It is a big change and long overdue.

Brent Probinsky is a Florida lawyer who has represented women in sexual harassment claims.